Laura Cone Gay, MD, MPH

My passion for relationship-based problem-solving and lifelong learning originally led me to nursing. In my seven years as a nurse in internal medicine and international public health, I’ve learned as much from people I’ve met as I have from years of study. These diverse experiences and a desire to walk alongside my patients across the course of their lives has led me this role as a family nurse practitioner in primary care. I desire to offer evidence-based care that is tailored to the needs, strengths, and barriers faced by the individual. Whether we’re dealing with an asthma attack, screening for preventable diseases, or discussing advanced care planning, I hope to partner with others in their journey towards health.

My interest in family medicine originated growing up in a rural, agricultural area where the town doctor knew everyone he cared for, including their families, not just as patients, but as neighbors and friends as well. This background, and my interest in environmental science, led to my curiosity about how people's environment affects their health. I value the importance of prevention and strive to educate and encourage patients to incorporate such measures into their daily life, in spite of the ever-increasingly busy and sometimes challenging lives we lead. Building relationships with families across generations from birth into the elder years is most satisfying to me. When I am not delivering babies or in clinic, I enjoy knitting, running with my dog and other outdoor activities, namely keeping up with my two energetic, fun-loving girls.

Just being around children is so uplifting, and whether the child has a temporary problem like a sore throat or a long-term problem like leukemia, my goal is to do everything I can to help them feel better. When it comes to taking care of children, and raising children, there are often many "right" ways to do it. What works for one family may not work for another, and one of my roles is to help parents figure out what works for them. Taking care of your children is not something that can be rushed or crammed into a 10-minute time slot.